Muncie Post-Democrat, Muncie, Delaware County, 9 February 1934 — Page 2

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VOU CAN ALWAYS BUY INTELLIGENTLY BY READ NG THE POST-DEMOCBAT ADVERTISEMENTS

FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1934.

THE POST-DEMOCRAT A Democratic weekly newspaper represo' ting the Democrats of Muncie, Delaware County and the 10tt Congressional District The only Democratic Newspaper in Delaware County.

Entered as second class matter January 15, 1921, at the Postofflce at Muncie, lidiana, under Act of March 3, 1879.

PRICE 2 CENTS—$1.00 A YEAR

223 North Elm Street—Telephone 2540 Qeo. R. Dale, Editor

Muncie, Indiana, Friday, February 9, 1934.

CWA Projects in Muncie Government inspectors who have visited Muncie during the past |ew weeks, and who have inspected the work being done under the CWA set up, have without exception, stated that the most beneficial projects under their supervision are those under headway in the city of Muncie. In fact this feeling is general, not only in Muncie, but in many other cities throughout the state, as many engineers and CWA supervisors have visited Muncie and all have expressed surprise at the character of the work being done, as well as at the manner of its ! execution. So far reaching has been this feeling, that a well known news reel concern, will in a few days send its staff of photographers to make movie pictures in order to show to the outside world, how things are done in Muncie. Locally this feeling is favorable to the work being done, with the exception of Wilbur Sutton of the Muncie Press, who has constantly been throwing cold water on all CWA projects in general, and the Flood Prevention Wall in particular. Sutton seldom fails to rap the Flood Prevention Wall and endeavors in every way to create the impression, that such a wall is unnecessary, in which statement, he seems to be entirely alone. • When this wall was suggested as a preventative against the river overflowing its banks, especially along Wheeling Avenue, so we are informed, the idea was presented to Mr. Arthur Ball, the County CWA Supervisor, that gentleman with keen conception, immediately recogig nized its possibilities as a flood preventive measure, and after consideration of its merits, hastened to recommend its construction, and it was through this recommendation the wall was approved as a CWA project, However, Sutton sees things through different glasses, possibjy glasses that one must turn the bottom upward in order to get the best reshits, an every day occurrence with Sutton, and It is probablye that after turning the bottoms of a number of these glasses skyward, he is inspired to write much of the silly rot that seems to permeate his daily column of “Comment.” As a matter of fact it is only necessary to go back a few months in order to find a real necessity for the construction of a wall along Wheeling Avenue, as it will be remembered that at the particular time referred to, a number of Muncie policemen were dragging the river in an endeavor to find the body of an estimable young lady who was supposed to have been drowned. While thus engaged Sutton, under the influence of booze, drove his automobile into the river and had it dot been for assistance given by the police, he would no doubt have mot a similar fate. Of course all understand, that Sutton’s tirade against the construction of the Wheeling Avenue Wall, is purely political, as he appears to be against everything suggested by the President in his endeavor to return the country to its former prosperous condition, but in order to block this plan, if it were possible, there would be no CWA workers employed on any work, in Muncie, if Sutton had his way. Notwithstanding all this, the city is proceeding with the work just as though Sutton never existed, realizing, that if the wall does nothing more than to prevent a few “drunks” from being drowned, it will be worth all it costs.

must look beyond the political expediency of the convention and draw its battle lines for th§ election in November, choosing a nominee who can lead the state, congressional, county, city and township nominees to victory.

Knoxville Is Sure Despite a deluge of power trust propaganda, Knoxville, Tennessee, stands firmly enlisted in the ranks of cities favoring municipal ownerships of utilities. At the city elections some weeks ago, Knoxville voters by an overwhelming majority approved a $3,225,000 bond issue to finance a municipal plant. The new Knoxville plant will purchase power from the vast water power development at Muscle Shoals being opeiated by the federal government. Negitiations are in process between the Tennessee Valley authority for a plentiful supply of cheap current. Wisconsin will be especially interested in the news from Knoxville, as David E. Lilienthal, former member of the Wisconsin Public Service commission who did such excellent work here, as a member of the TV A is playing a leading part in the negotiations with Knoxville. ; Fearful that Knoxville will become an autostanding yardstick for the rest of the nation in measuring how cheap electric current can be furnished consumers and how efficiently government utility ownership can be operated, the Tennessee Public Service Co., a subsidiary of the Morgan dominated Flectdic Bond and Share Co., has offered drastic rate cuts to Knoxville. It is understood that if necessary the private power monopoly is even willing to furnish the city electricity below cost to block the municipal ownership project. With such proposals before them, the people of Knoxville must be wondering to what extent they have been over-charged for many years by the private utility. They must also wonder, with the rest of the nation, why the Electric Bond and Share Co. is so anxious to avoid a comparison of public and private service in the Tennessee

valley area.

The spokesmen for the big private utility interests are forever telling the people that private ownership is far more efficient and therefore preferable. They even blatantly name their concerns the "public service company” of such and such a place, intimating that they are more interested in public service than in profits. If private ownership with its absentee stockholder sfet-ups, its expatriated profit, and its spotty record as exposed by the Federal Trade commission investigation and the InsnU and National Electiic Light association exposes, is so admirable, why the panic when it is^ proposed to get up a comparable public plant? Why did the private utility crowd spend barrels of money seeking to defeat Knoxville s

proposal to acquire its own plant?

The people and the city council of Knoxville are deserving of commendation on their foresightedness in demanding a public plant. As an industrial asset because of cheap and abundant electric power and service, the municipal utility will be a tremendous asset. The whole country, rapidly becoming more “municipal utility minded,” is watching with interest the developments at Knoxville and \\ ill con-

tinue to do so.

MAYOR’S CORNER In response to several inquiries as to whether or not I will again be a candidate in the coming primary, the answer is yes, of course— And why not? As everybody knows here I have no personal ambitions. I had no personal ambitions when I offered myself as a candidate five years ago- It was apparent to me that a great work was to be done in Muncie. That the covenants made by me were fairly well carried out, no one disputes. But the work is not finished. It is only fairly begun. If I feel that this work can be completed only through the policies adopted and carried out, no one can object to that sentiment on my part. Every department of the city is functioning smoothly. I doubt if Muncie would care to experiment by taking a chance on a change from the New Deal and go back to the Old Raw Deal from which she has been happily rescued. What’s the matter with our park system, our street program, our police and fire departments and the spirit of economy which has reduced the running expenses of the city fifty percent? Many have caviled at the mayor, most of whom were original objectors, whether conscientious or not, but on objections from any quarters have been launched against these and the other departments which of course, are under the general supervision of the mayor. \ There are many candidates, of course, for the nomination. If they have any changes for the better to offer they should be listened to respectfully, but if they are merely seeking a political job with selfish motives actuating them, forget them no matter what your politics may be. If any other argument were needed to induce me to remain on guard, all doubt was removed when a dear old colored friend of mine came to me and in an anxious voice, said: “Mayor Dale, do not desert us; we need you, for you court no man’s smile and fear no man’s frown.”

PEPUBLICANS mm RULE; DEMO'S SMILE

Preacher Defends Unions in Face of Bosses’ Threat

Anti-union employers of Coffeyville scratched a preacher and found a Tartar when they attempt ^d to “apply the heat” to the Rev. Joseph David Boyd of the First Christian church because he ad vacated the organization of bonafide labor unions. Several weeks ago, addressing a mass meeting of workers, Rev Boyd said that the rights of laboi could only be safeguarded through organizations affiliated with tlu American Federation of l-abor. Warning Flouted Business men warned the plain 4peaking clergyman that unless he stopped “agitating” one or both oi 'he city’s big oil refineries would be closed. Several parishioners cancelled their church member ship, and stories were circulated that “someone would push Dr. Boyd’s face in and run him out of town for associating with ignorant radicals.” Rev. Boyd appeared before a labor meeting and paid his re spects to the bosses and weakkneed business men who had hreatened him. “It turns cut,” he said, “that the only ignorant radicalism I havf seen has been among the industrial managers and foremen. 1 have seen nothing radical among the workers. What Workers Ask “All they ask is a cliance tc work, a little home and an oppor tunity to send their youngsters tc

school.

They want protection against the whim of the employer. They

Election Petition

The Conventions Recent announcement that the apportionment of delegates to the state conventions of the Democratic and Republican parties has been completed, recalls the fact that there is important work to be done in these conventions. It now appears to be a foregone conclusion that Arthur Robinsou will be nominated as the Republican candidate for United States senator. If he is nominated, it will be because of the fact that his opponents in the Republican party are acquainted with two facts: First, that he will be very difficult to beat in a convention and second, that he hasn’t much chance to be elected even if he is nominated. In fact, there are some Republicans who believe that it may be just as well to get rid of Mr. Robinson even if they have to beat him in the elec-

tion.

(Continued From Page One)

light bears the signatures of 2,87? ;ualifted voters of the city of Muncie, Indiana, making 2,091 signatures in excess of the num-

ber required, by the Statute. We have complied with every

-equinement of the law, Mr. Presi lent, and we theerforo respectbilly request that the Council proreed under the law to make such 'Tovjsion that the Citizens of Muncie may express their convicions on 'his important question

it the earliest possible date. We have beep able, so far, to

jonduct this campaign upon a ion partisan basis, and have tried o confine- the discus ions arisine 'o the merits of the question involved. We have had valuable assistance from men and women of all political and religious faiths, from rich and poor alike, and this

yc believe is as it should 1 be. In order that this special elec-

ion may be removed as far as possible from politics, we respectbilly request the Council to arange a date as far as possible in idvanee of the General Primary

o be he’d on May 8, next. We request an early cate foi

he further reason, Mr. Presi dealt, hat this Specia leelction cannot be held at the time of the General Tim ary and conform to the exiress provisions of this statute. The Courts have held that a spe 3ial election must be held on a particular date for a specific pur

do not w r ant ‘the gate’ without

S?!Sfi°. a , n tlieSe best be pose and , mt0 it3e , f . We wouW

wwu to « ■■bame of the

, 1 ^ Tha ‘ ,s election being invalkl it held it only question men are asking, not ti _ f., fhR1 , pipotinn ignofantly but intelligently.” |connection with anc hm election

Rev. Boyd commended the)workers for refusing to “have any

part” in a “company union” the oil companies are “trying to force

down their throats.”

“Do you know of a single ‘company union’ that has raised a hand to help the workers it was supposed to represent?” he asked. “A company union may represent collective ‘handling’ of men, but it does not represent collevtive bargaining—without which labor can

never achieve its goal.

“The employers who flout the ‘New' Deal’ are the ignorant radicals, and if this thing fails they will be to blame, not the workers. “I’d like to show you that I am

The Democrats have a dtfferent problem. It now appears that '™ 1| th ‘ a )t , ^ n s f “X “"'eech" t^w their chief concern is to nominate to the United States senate a man . in( | then leave you alone. I’m willwho can give Mr. Robinson a good, sound licking in the election. Four ing to risk my job if you risk uames are already oh the list of aspirants. Doubtless there will be X^a'^Mwilh'aiy'IrLf^Zt ta others, riie prevalent attitude among Demociats is that the pai y organized in Coffeyvi 11 tj.”

In conclusion we wish to assure th eCouncil that our local Municipal League will co-operdte in every way to make possible Muni cipal Ownership of public utilities

in Muncie.

Furthermore Thomas L. Cooksey, president of the Municipal League of Indiana, in a recent letter promises their support in thf following statement—“Your letter just received and in reply will say we shall be glad to give any assistane | possible in your campaign for Municipal Ownership which tl‘ e salvation of cities

and towns.

DODGING THE ISSUE. “Tell me what you eat,” said a soda-counter philosopher in a loud voice, “anil I’ll tell you whai you

are.”

“Countermand my order for shrimp salad.” piped up a littte man a few stools down.

The Republicans call it gag rule —The Democrats, for the most part, sivnply -smile and say nothing. Whatever it is, the Roosevelt parlii mentary technique works. A major test of presidential power came in the House when Democratic leaders adopted a rule of procedure whereby no amendment could be offered from the floor w'lhich would affect the economy sections of the Independent Offices bn, then under consideration, or any other appropriations measure tVtat would appear during the session. The rule was unprecemtentecl —-and it passed There were heavy Democratic defections, which resulted in Democratic leaders working over the mavericks in their party. Result of that was that ? move to recommit the rule was slaughtered, 240 to 141. Most dramatic victory came or .1 inuary 20. when the Rooseveb dcdlar devaluation bill swept through the House by the colossal margin of 360 to 40. It is doubtful if any piece of legislation of com parable importance ever carried sr fa f st. Debate wes almost entirely shut off. All opposition amendments were shouted down. Dozen of representatives who admit they do not understand the present dol lar policy thoroughly, voted for it. The measure has four specific phases. First, the treasury is given title to all of the nation’s monetary gold stock, including that held by Federal reserve banks. Second, it fixes 60 per cent of thf dollar’s present gold content as the maximum of gold value after revaluation. Fear of Much Power. Third, it gives the administratior a fund of $2,000,000,000. obtained ^’itematicallv from the added value of the treasury’s gold after devalu ation has taken place, with whicl to stabilize the foreign value of the

dollar.

Fourth, it gives the treasury power in issuing and floating govern ment securities, thus simnlifyins fhe great refinancing task that confronts the Federal government now. The treasury is allowed tr purchase any type of government •security writh any other type, may sell issues privately without offer ling them to the general public. Main opposition to the bill is based on the fear of putting so va-T a power in one man’s hand—it ob viously makes Mr. Roosevelt r monetary dictator with hardly ? i • . i i i, , ioir. .Supporters of ihe New Deal claim that is what the countn wants; that it is essential to re covery that the President be giver free rein. ^ The American Federation of Labor’s report on 1934 prospect' was a good deal more interesting and important than documents o f the kind usually are. Forecast was that prospects for employment and earnings are considerably brighter, but that one phase of present recovery efforts—threatened infla tion by fiat money—endangers th" whole show. Four specific changes for the h ■ t ter in 1933 were chronicaled: A gain in employment of more tha* 1 *>,000.000; a drop of 4V 2 hours in the average work week; better organization among industrial work ers of all kinds; an increase *n workers’ income of 11.7 per cent. The report pointed out, on the debit side, that business is 30 per cent below normal still, that most ’mportant thing is restoration of business confidence, that private hiitiatjve is still of paramount im nortance. Belief was expressed Mmt workers always lose through inflation—that only wealthy speculators have a chance to gain. President Lays Plans. At about the same tipie the re port was issued, the National Recovery Administration was making plans, as best it could, to find jobs for as many as possible of the 11,000,000 people still registered as unemployed. The President has laid plans where public works’ activities and expansion in private industry will absorb the 4.000.000 now in CWA rolls. That will still leave the problem 60 per cent unsolved. General ohnson believes th° working week must come down from its present 40-hour average—said that changes would have to be made gradually, in the light of industry's financial ability to carry larger payrolls. Hope is for an 8-hour day, a j day w r eek. Lopping a day from the week would, it is estimated, create! 1.500,000 jobs. How- to reduce work-j ing hours, employ more men, raise! wages, cut production, increase' business’ capacity to pay the hill.! is the problem.

UNUSUAL FACTS REVEALED , ^ ,,

D/ANE SINCLAIR NOW PLAYING IN COLUMBIA'? 'FI6HTIN6 CODE'' ISjm LOWEST CONTRALTO VOICE IN HOLLY- \ WOOD, '

r BUCK , ; JONBS HORSE „ , "SILVER" ' [HAS HAD A PROMINENT PART IN MORE THAN IOO PICTURES

v,;L:k.

BUCKS HOBBY IS CARVING AND WHITTLING

WOOD. HE HAS A COLLECTION DE-

Atfib PJCT/N6 I v FAMOUS

CHARACTERS or THE OLD

WEST-

THE SCENE- cw ^ EfLM MEASURES l INCH BY £-/NCHkr. MIEN THROWN ON A SCREEN 16 FEET WIDE IT IS ANoVif/S F MOSr <7NOUS -

Phi Delt Carnival Is In Full Swing! The free indoor carnival sponsored by the Phi DeRa Kappa iraternity at the home, 825 East Washing- i ton street, started Thursday night and continues Friday and Saturday lights of this week. Preparations have been made for a large attendance and numerous forms of mfertainmeiU aie at the disposal if the public. Orchestra music for dancing is furnished every night and many desirable prizes have been secured

for those who attend the festivities. All arrangements have been made for lots of fun, the success of which may be accredited to the committee of Roscoe McVicker, chairman Ed McGuff, Jess Quirk, and Charles Cannon.

INTERRUPTED.

kUflwr

Prisoner—Judge I don't

what to do.

Judge—Why, how’s that? Prisoner—I swore to tell the truth, but every time 1 try, some lawyer objects.

HARDESTY FURNITURE^ STORE We Buy and Sell New and Used Furniture and Stoves. Visit the Cleanest Used Goods Store in Muncie. HARDESTY TRUCKING Local and Long Distance Moving—Storage and Crating 628 S. Walnut St. Phone 1856

hell'o GIRLS.MY RANGE IS SO OLD I CANV BAKE A DECENT THING 1 I MUST BUY A NEW ONE

WELLWHEREVER ELSE YOU GO j'M GOING TO MA^E YOU LOOK TWICE AND \ TAKE YOU TO THE ELECTRIC STORE \

tMbsint fix 1

THOSE OTHER RANGES LOOKED GRAND TILL | SAW THAT ELECTRIC RANGE

AND THINK OF THE WORK AND MONEY YOU’LL SAVE

JIM,YOU CAN'T IMAGINE HOW WONDERFUL IT IS TO HAVE AN ELECTRIC RANGE WITH AUTOMATIC COOKERY ! AND IT'S NOT EXPENSIVE EITHER

AND DARLING, YOU LOOK FRESH AS A ROSE !

Cars Ready for Service—Look Them Over 1928 Ford Tudor. 1929 Ford Tudor. 1929 Chevrolet Coach. 1929 Ford Coupe. 1930 Chevrolet Coupe. 1931 Plymouth Coupe. 1931 Buick Sedan. 1931 DeSota Sedan. 1931 Studebaker Coupe.

Delaware Car and j- Tractor Co. Jackson at Madisoh St. 430—PHONE—430

How To Keep Yourself Fresh As A Rose • Banish the confining chore of potwatching which puts tell-tale lines into the faces of sp many women. Give yolirself new hours of freedom, more time for recreation by installing an Automatic Electric | Range now % ^ , ). : yv. , Come in and see our display of electric ranges. See how; cleaa! electric cookery can be. Indiana General Service Company SEE AN Ekdric RANQK '

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